The US Ambassador for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain
Highlights
- “An open call for genocide was given in India”
- “A minister called Muslims termites”
- “Had also met Christians, Sikhs and Dalits of India”
International Religious Freedom: The US envoy for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain, has expressed concern over the treatment of many religious communities in India. He said that the US is in direct contact with Indian officials to deal with the challenges. Addressing the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit held in Washington on Thursday, Hussain said his father had come to the US from India in 1969. He said, “This country has given us everything but I love India and keep an eye on what happens there every day. My parents and we discuss about it. Many of you also care about what is happening in India and love this country and want it to live up to its values.
“It’s America’s Responsibility to Raise Voice on Human Rights and Religious Freedom”
Hussain said the US is “concerned” about the many religious communities in India. He is directly in touch with the Indian authorities to deal with the challenges. The US envoy said, “India now has a citizenship law which is an under process. There was a call for genocide in India, churches attacked, hijab banned, houses demolished. That a minister termed Muslims as termites.” In one of his speeches, Shah had termed Bangladeshi infiltrators as “termites”. Hussain said that it is the responsibility of the US to raise its voice in matters of human rights and religious freedom not only in India but around the world. India has consistently rejected criticisms against it in the US. India has said it is unfortunate that “vote bank politics” is being played in international relations. In its response, India has expressed concern over racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence in the US.
What did Hussain say by referring to the Udaipur murder case?
The US envoy said he had also met Christians, Sikhs and Dalits of India. Referring to the Udaipur tailor’s murder case, Hussain said, “It is important that we work together and fight for the rights of all citizens. No matter who is attacked, an attack was carried out yesterday, it was condemnable and we have to condemn it too.” It is noteworthy that Kanhaiya Lal was killed in Udaipur city by Riyaz Akhtari and Ghaus Mohammad. He had shared the video on social media claiming that he had avenged the insult to Islam.